Steve Gleason was an inspiration to many New Orleanians during his eight-year NFL playing career with the Saints. Now he's influencing even more lives since being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, two years ago.

Gleason's 20-minute speech at the Social Innovation Technology Summit at the United Nations in New York last May had a profound impact on Lois Backon, the chief operating officer of JPMorgan Chase Foundation.

Gleason's impact on Backon will soon directly impact the lives of 18 people living with incurable
neuromuscular disorders such as ALS and multiple sclerosis.

"I can't tell you how powerful that moment was for me," Backon said Thursday as Chase announced
the donation of a $350,000 grant to The Team Gleason House of Innovative Living, which is scheduled to open in May.

The announcement was made at a press conference in the parking lot of the still-under-construction residence hall, which is located at the new $25 million St. Margaret's Skilled Nursing Residence in Mid-City. There were few dry eyes in the standing-room-only crowd that included Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis and assistant head coach Joe Vitt and New Orleans city councilwoman Susan Guidry.

The Team Gleason House will be the second facility of its kind in the country. It is modeled after the Steve Saling Residence Hall, which opened in Boston in 2010.
Since being
diagnosed with ALS two years ago, Gleason has embarked on a mission to prove that
ALS patients can still live productive, meaningful lives. His foundation
has sponsored dozens of causes and events, including several of what they call
"extraordinary life adventures" for fellow ALS patients.

The Team Gleason House, though, is by far "the most significant achievement for Team Gleason to date," Gleason said in a computerized speech using his synthetic voice.

Drew Brees speaks at ceremony for Steve Gleason HouseSaints quarterback Drew Brees and former player Steve Gleason, who is battling ALS, take part in a ceremony to announce the Steve Gleason House for Innovative Living at St. Margaret's. It will be the countryâs second ALS skilled care residence and is part of the $25 million nursing facility under construction at the former Lindy Boggs Hospital in Mid-City. Chase gave a $350,000 donation to help fund technologies that will assist ALS patients with every day tasks.

"...This (residence) will allow (ALS and MS patients) to be productive and purposeful. This will allow them to collaborate with peers and colleagues to continue whatever their purpose may be. Artists continuing their art. Teachers continuing to teach. Architects continuing to design. Producers continuing to produce."

When it opens in
May, nine patients will enjoy automated, state-of-the-art residences, thanks
to Florida-based Proximis and its Peac automation technology. The entire wing
is designed to help patients live more independently
through the use of cutting-edge technology. ALS patients can control their
environment - computers; TVs; lights; doors; window shades; elevators - using just their eyes.

The organization is seeking funding for a second wing that
will house nine other patients.

"Steve is a true
inspiration not only to me but to our city," Saints quarterback Drew Brees
said. "He may have retired from football but the same qualities that made him a
standout on the field now make him a remarkable advocate for people living with
ALS, MS and other neuromuscular diseases. ... (The Team Gleason House) will change lives and it's a great gift to New Orleans, which is thriving thanks to innovation, inspiration and technology."

Steve Gleason demonstrates ALS-friendly technology at Steve Gleason HouseFormer Saints player Steve Gleason, who is battling ALS, demonstrates technology in a model room at the Steve Gleason House for Innovative Living at St. Margaret's. Using an interactive screen, he is able to open doors, turn lights and televisions on and off, and lower the shades using just his eyes. Chase gave a $350,000 donation to help fund technologies that will assist ALS patients with every day tasks.

The residence hall will be located a few blocks away from where Gleason met his wife, Michel Varisco, and within one mile of the city's new biodistrict, which is expected to provide employment for 5,500 people in its
first five years. Over 10 years, 13,400 direct and indirect jobs are expected
to be created.

Chase's donation is specifically directed toward the development of technologies that will help ALS
and multiple sclerosis patients continue to live more productive lives.

"The Team Gleason House will be equipped with cutting-edge technology,
making it part of the city's progress in developing a more entrepreneurial,
innovative economy," said Todd Maclin, chairman of Chase. "Investing in biosciences and digital technology
will create more economic diversity and greater opportunity in New Orleans."